She Takes The Lead
Start leading your next chapter with boldness and intention, one episode at a time. She Takes The Lead is a personal development podcast that cuts through the noise with raw honesty and genuine empathy for anyone ready to take on life's "left turns" head on. Hosted by Carole Podell, a no-BS New Yorker with a track record of fearless reinvention, this show is where personal growth meets professional development—without the fluff.
Drawing from her own successful pivots—from Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer to executive leadership, to Fertility Warrior and proud single mom by choice—Carole brings her signature straight-talking warmth and transformational storytelling to help listeners navigate career shifts, relationships, self-discovery, and life’s curveballs. No sugar-coating, just hard-won insights delivered with clarity, humor, and kindness.
Why Listen?
Life transitions are messy, but they don’t have to be lonely. Whether you’re contemplating a midlife career pivot, deepening authentic relationships, or redefining success on your own terms, She Takes The Lead delivers the clarity, confidence, and kick in the ass you need to take action.
Through candid conversations and practical guidance shaped by real-world experience, Carole and her guests tackle the big questions:
💡 How do we turn challenges into opportunities for growth?
💡 What does it mean to create success and work-life balance our way?
💡 When do we trust our intuition to guide transformative change?
With refreshing authenticity and zero fluff, She Takes The Lead is your space for growth, reinvention, and breaking free from outdated rules. Expect empowering insights, tactical steps, and a whole lot of heart—because true transformation begins when we stop waiting for permission and start leading from within.
Who’s It For?
👉 High achievers redefining what success means
👉 Anyone craving real conversations about career, self-worth, and personal evolution
👉 Women navigating major life transitions
New episodes every Tuesday!
For show notes, discount codes, and exclusive professional and personal resources, visit SheTakesTheLeadPodcast.com. Everything you need to take action is right there.
And before you go, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you’re listening so you never miss a single episode!
🔥 Listen now and start leading your next chapter with boldness and intention.
Episodes
35 episodes
Ep 034-I'm Crushing It But Why Can't I Own It?
Why is it easier to say, “I’m ambitious,” than “I’ve achieved”? In this episode, I break down why so many high-achieving women (myself included!) struggle to own their success. From redefining what achievement even is, to a co...
Ep 033: You're Not Failing, You're Balancing: What Artists, Dreamers, and Doers Need to Know
In this deeply personal solo episode, I unpack what it really means to live a creative life while juggling the realities of adulthood, ambition, and mental health.I share a story about a fellow artist at a crossroads—struggling...
Ep 032: Marriage, Trauma & Tools Nobody Gives You — Except Danielle Sebastian
In this raw and heart-opening episode of She Takes the Lead, I sit down with Danielle Sebastian—a pharmacist turned trauma-partner support coach—to dive into the unspoken world of being married to someone with unresolved trauma. If you...
Ep 031: How to Get Money to Love You Back: Ella Rivkin’s Wealth Wisdom for Women
In this powerhouse episode of She Takes the Lead, Carole sits down with Ella Rivkin—financial strategist, immigrant powerhouse, and co-author of Cracking the Code to Success with Brian Tracy. From a near-tragic accident that c...
Ep 030: Why Even Top Leaders Fear Public Speaking—and What Devin Sarno Teaches to Fix It
What do a teenage debate champion, a C-suite executive, and a karaoke-dodging jazz singer all have in common? Yep—public speaking anxiety.In this episode of She Takes The Lead, I sit down with the fantastic and fun Devin Sarno—f...
Ep 029: Success by Design: Human Design Expert & Visibility Goddess, Abigail Rebecca, Helping Women to Become Iconic and Thrive
Women Thrive Summit 2025 Speaker Series:This week on She Takes The Lead, we’re featuring powerhouse women from the Women Thrive Summit 2025—leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers sharing their wisdom to h...
Ep 028: Unlocking Feminine Power: Self-Seduction, Sovereignty & The Dark Feminine with Sapha Pardo Heckman
Women Thrive Summit 2025 Speaker Series:This week on She Takes The Lead, we’re featuring powerhouse women from the Women Thrive Summit 2025—leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers sharing their wisdom to h...
027: Unapologetically Visible: Raimonda Jan of Women Thrive on Female Leadership & Business Growth
Episode Summary:In this empowering episode of She Takes The Lead, I sit down with Raimonda Jan, founder of Women Thrive Summit and Women Thrive Media, to talk about the power of visibility, breaking through self-imposed limitations...
Ep 026 My Top 5 Unfiltered Valentine’s Day Thoughts: Advil is More Romantic Than Flowers
💌 Happy Valentine’s Day, Party People! 💌In this special Valentine’s Day episode, I get real about what love actually looks like—the grand gestures, the small moments, and why flowers don’t mean sh*t (well, sometimes). Fro...
025: From Taboo to Trendy: Hazel Co-Founder Aubrey Hubbell Turns Stigma into Style
This Conversation with Aubrey Hubbell Will Make You Rethink Everything About Female Leadership and Taboo Topics 🎯Here's the 5-second summary: Aubrey Hubbell is disrupting the femcare industry by making products women ...
024: Building Your Tribe: Why Your Inner Circle is the Secret Sauce to Real Change
Fresh off a season of growth (and yes, fighting off a few winter bugs), I'm back with fire in my belly and wisdom to share. Today's episode cuts straight to the heart of what makes transformative change possible: your tribe. Ready to dis...
023: From Good Girl to Empowered Woman: Kathy Baldwin on Unlearning the Crap and Reclaiming Your Life
I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down to talk with Kathy Baldwin, Life Purpose Strategist and Gen X Renaissance Woman. Kathy helps women (yes, all of us strong, s...
022: The Power of Boundaries, Self-Care, and Honest Conversations with Ana Salido
carolepodell.comhttps://www.instagram.com/carolepodellhttps://www.facebook.com/CarolePod...
021: (TRIGGER WARNING) Remembering 9/11: A Personal Reflection on September 11, 2001
Trigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive content about the 9/11 attacks, including descriptions of the events and aftermath. If this may be difficult for you to listen to, please choose another episode for now. In this poi...
020: Dream Big, Start Small: The Art of Actionable Inspiration
Join Carole Podell, for an inspiring journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Discover the secrets to overcoming procrastination, harnessing the power of your imagination, and taking that crucial first step towards your dreams. 💫Key Ta...
019: Your Kid Wants a Dad—Now What? Navigating Single Motherhood Without a GPS
🎙️ Your Kid Wants a Dad—Now What? Navigating Single Motherhood Without a GPS👋 In this episode of She Takes the Lead, we’re diving deep into an unexpected moment, in real time. What do you do when your kid casually drops the "I thi...
018: Thriving in Art and Business: Becca Hoffman's Path to Creative Entrepreneurship
In this enlightening episode of She Takes the Lead, we delve into the dynamic journey of Becca Hoffman, a trailblazer in the art world and a successful entrepreneur. Becca shares her path from managing prestigious art galleries in New York, Par...
017: Peter Shankman’s ADHD Blueprint: Master Neurodiversity in Work and Life
In this enlightening episode of "She Takes the Lead," Carole Podell sits down with the extraordinary Peter Shankman to delve into the multifaceted world of neurodiversity and ADHD. Renowned for his entrepreneurial success and inspirational life...
016: Breaking Age Norms: Bold Moves in Dating and Career Choices
Is age just a number when it comes to love and life decisions? Authenticity and happiness should be your guiding principles, not societal expectations, right?Let's embrace change and take bold steps in your career and per...
015: Break the Anxiety Cycle: Dr. Terri Bacow PhD Unveils CBT Secrets for Mental Health
Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Dr. Terri Bacow, a seasoned psychologist who has dedicated over 15 years to providing therapy in New York City. A specialist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dr. Bacow shares...
014: Reclaiming Confidence: 5 Ways Imposter Syndrome Hijacks Your Brain and How to Shut it Down
The PerfectionistThe ExpertThe Natural GeniusThe SoloistThe Super-personIn this episode, Carole goes over the 5 ways Imposter Syndrome can hijack your mind and spirit, stopping you dead in y...
013: #Momfail Alert: Teaching Kids About Competition When You’re Not a Pro
#Momfail Alert, In this episode, Carole dives deep into the hilarious and humbling experience of what NOT TO DO when teaching your kid about competition. Join her as she shares the story of behaving like a crazy soccer mom during a friendly gam...
012: Bridgerton Season 3: Penelope Featherington, Celebrating Curves and What Men (and Colin) Really Want
Bridgerton Season 3, Part 1 is out and I’m here for it!I’m all in! Colin and Penelope’s story of friends to lovers hits every sweet spot of my 12 year old self who so wanted to be understood and appreciated for all she was, regardless o...
011: Is your name really just your brand? Living up to the name you were given.
I went to a baby naming. What the hell is that you say? It’s a Jewish tradition. A relatively recent Jewish tradition for girls. When boys get circumcised, 8 days after they’re born, they get their Hebrew name which connects them to their Jewi...
010: Self care is NOT selfish. Is it?
Say you got mugged the first time you took the 1 train in NYC. Cr@p! you need to take it to get to work every day but your scared. The solution? Get over it. Move passed it. How do you do that? Pro-actively create a Restorative Experience....
009: Embrace, Adapt, Succeed: Mastering Change for a Fulfilling Life
I love this topic. I’m fascinated by it! It’s one of the things we all, every last human being on the planet, have in common, and it’s coming for all of us! CHANGEFrom your mind, to your clothes, to your circumstances. It’s the ...
008: Embrace The Haters And Thrive: The Adam Freeman Approach
I’m very excited for this episode because not only is it my first interview on She Takes The Lead, but I have a great guest and I’m so jazzed to welcome him , his name is Adam Freeman he is a multi-faceted producer, director and writer with ov...
007: Single Or Partnered Parenting: Which Is Harder
Solo parenting. Perks, pitfalls, celebrities and support.www.aboutablonde.comhttps://www.instagram.com/aboutablonde/https://ww...
006: I Am In This With You! How To Pass Down The Legacy of Friendship
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005: Sandwiched in the Sandwich Generation: Stroke Signs Amidst Caregiving
In this episode of "She Takes the Lead," we find ourselves at the intersection of responsibilities, often dubbed the "sandwich generation" exploring the journey of someone dear to us who faced the sudden onset of a stroke, unraveling the subtle...